Atom x5-Z8330 vs Pentium B960

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Atom x5-Z8330 vs Pentium B960 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Atom x5-Z8330 vs Pentium B960: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Atom x5-Z8330

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium B960

2011

Why buy it

✅1500% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 1) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom x5-Z8330 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,019 vs 1,025).
❌Launch MSRP is still $134 MSRP, while Atom x5-Z8330 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom x5-Z8330 better than Pentium B960?

Yes. Atom x5-Z8330 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Atom x5-Z8330 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom x5-Z8330 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Atom x5-Z8330 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Atom x5-Z8330 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium B960 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (7.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Atom x5-Z8330 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom x5-Z8330 vs Pentium B960 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Atom x5-Z8330

The Atom x5-Z8330 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 February 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Airmont (2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.44 GHz, with boost up to 1.92 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Memory support: DDR3L-RS 1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,025 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium B960

The Pentium B960 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,019 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

The Atom x5-Z8330 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium B960 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Atom x5-Z8330 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.92 GHz on the Atom x5-Z8330 versus 2.2 GHz on the Pentium B960 — a 13.6% clock advantage for the Pentium B960 (base: 1.44 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Atom x5-Z8330 uses the Airmont (2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium B960 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-Z8330 scores 1,025 against the Pentium B960's 1,019 — a 0.6% lead for the Atom x5-Z8330. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom x5-Z8330 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B960.

Feature	Atom x5-Z8330	Pentium B960
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.92 GHz	2.2 GHz+15%
Base Clock	1.44 GHz	2.2 GHz+53%
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Airmont (2016)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,025	1,019
Geekbench 6 Single	—	383
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	679

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Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-RS 1600 on the Atom x5-Z8330 versus DDR3-1333 on the Pentium B960 — the Atom x5-Z8330 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Pentium B960 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 2 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom x5-Z8330) vs 2 (Pentium B960). PCIe lanes: 1 (Atom x5-Z8330) vs 16 (Pentium B960) — the Pentium B960 offers 15 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel FC-UTBGA592 (Atom x5-Z8330) and HM76 (Pentium B960).

Feature	Atom x5-Z8330	Pentium B960
Socket	—	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-RS 1600+20%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	2 GB	16 GB+700%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	1	16+1500%

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Advanced Features

Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail) (Atom x5-Z8330) and HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge) (Pentium B960) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium B960 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Pentium B960 rivals AMD A8-3500M.